El Al Israel Airlines has agreed to repay its state loan of $45 loan by the end of the year according to Reuters.
The flag carrier took the loan from the government to help with expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
El Al aircraft photo gallery:
Air Albania’s business activity is suspended, can it survive?
Air Albania business license has been suspended by the National Business Centre.
On September 9, 2022, the Albanian government authorities suspended the airline’s business license, grounding all operations.
The airline has failed to declare its owners as required by Albanian law.
Air Albania was founded on May 16, 2018 led by a consortium by the Albanian and Turkish governments under a publicโprivate partnership.
Turkish Airlines reportedly controls 49.12% of the shares of Air Albania.
Air Albania aircraft photo gallery:
Emirates selects the new Thalesโ AVANT Up system for its incoming fleet of Airbus A350s
Emirates has made this announcement:
As part of its continued drive to ensure customers โfly betterโ, Emirates has selected the new Thalesโ AVANT Up system for its incoming fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, scheduled for delivery in 2024.
The airlineโs investment of over US $350 million will see its 50-strong fleet of A350s equipped with next-generation inflight entertainment solutions that offer a memorable cinematic and personalised passenger experience.
The game-changing technology in Thalesโ AVANT Up system features Optiq 4k QLED HDR displays – the only aircraft displays using Samsungโs QLED technology to immerse viewers in more than a billion colors. This rich display capability provides the perfect medium for Emiratesโ unmatched ice inflight entertainment product which delivers over 5,000 channels of multi-language content including live TV, the latest box office movies, TV shows and music hits, and the worldโs first inflight shopping channel, EmiratesRED.
The new system from Thales will also provide an enhanced โliveโ television solution that offers a broader choice of live television and news in the highest available definition at 40,000 feet.
Emiratesโ customers can also look forward to enhanced passenger connectivity with Optiq – the first smart display in the industry to offer two Bluetooth connections, built-in Wi-Fi for passengers to pair multiple devices including phones, tablets, headphones or even game controllers, while supporting up to 60 watts USB-C to fast-charge personal devices.
To further enrich passenger engagement, Emirates has chosen a variety of AVANT Up digital services including highly integrated personalisation features, expanded personal electronic device (PED) capabilities, and user interface enhancements which also enable visually impaired passengers to have an immersive experience.
Emirates is also the first airline globally to select Thalesโ Pulse, a patented power management technology which will ensure that charging performance will be unaffected no matter how many users are charging their devices at the same time.
Reflecting a shared vision to innovate and shape future inflight experiences, Emirates and Thales also continue to collaborate on programs through Dubaiโs Aviation X-Lab, an aviation-specific incubator.
Emirates aircraft photo gallery:
Airhub Airlines adds an Airbus A330-200 to its fleet
Airhub Airlines made this announcement:
Airbus A330 joins the growing fleet of Maltese Carrier, Airhub Airlines. This A330-200 will be operated alongside A330 family which includes A330-900 and the A330-300.
The Airbus A330-200 holding MSN 1161, will bear Maltese registration 9H-PAX is set to be yet another highlight for the Maltese carrier for this year.
9H-PAX will be strategically positioned to enhance Airhub Airlinesโ fleet capabilities. Entering commercial service during the winter season, the A330-200 will capitalize on the increase in passenger demand. In anticipation of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar along with the winter holiday season.
About Airhub Airlines:
Airhub Airlines is an IOSA certified non-scheduled carrier, offering passenger, cargo, ACMI and aircraft management services. Holding a Maltese AOC with a soaring fleet of narrow and wide-body aircraft. Airhub Airlines is a part of Airhub Aviation, a group of companies with its headquarters in Malta and commercial office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Airhub Aviation offers a range of modern Airbus family aircraft, aviation training, and aircraft management services for lessors and asset management entities with in-house MRO capabilities.
Airhub Airlines aircraft slide show:
Are you a Grandma or Grandpa? – Frontier will fly 100 free this fall
Frontier Airlines has made this announcement:
Family-focused ultra-low fare carrier Frontier Airlines is providing free flights to 100 grandmas and grandpas this fall, bringing families together for some priceless multi-generational moments. As we approach Grandparentโs Day this Sunday, Frontier wants to remind families that fall is a great time to travel and cost shouldnโt stand in the way of grandparents catching that next soccer game or dance recital.
Through the Grandmas Fly Free* promotion, Frontier will award 100 randomly selected grandparents with a $250 flight voucher. Nominate your grandparent (or whoever you define as your grandparent) by visiting the entry page. Within the entry form, you are invited to share details on what special moment or event youโd like to share as a family, along with a photo and other details (not required for entry). The nomination form allows participants to share their entry directly to social media platforms. Sharing will automatically result in two entries for a nominee, doubling the chances your grandparent will be selected.
The randomly selected winners will be eligible to fly in September and October. The contest entry period ends on Grandparentsโ Day, Sunday, September 11 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
โWeโre proud of our strong commitment to families and our ability to bring them together affordably and conveniently thanks to our โLow Fares Done Right,โโ said Tyri Squyres, vice president of marketing, Frontier Airlines. โThis promotion is a fun reminder that fall is a great time to travel and experience some treasured family time.โ
*For contest rules and additional information, visit the entry page.
Frontier Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
AirSial showcases its new Airbus A320 AP-BOR
AirSial is showcasing its latest addition to its fleet, the pictured Airbus A320 AP-BOR.
AirSial is the third private airline in Pakistan.
The new airline inaugurated services on December 9, 2020.
AirSial operates international flights to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq and Iran.
Southwest Airlines adds seasonal weekly nonstop service between Denver and San Jose, Costa Rica; adds nonstop service between San Diego and Eugene
Southwest Airlines has extended its schedule through April 10, 2023:
Southwest Airlines has opened its published flight schedule through April 10, 2023, giving Customers an early start to Spring Break 2023 vacation planning. With todayโs schedule extension, the airline has brought back many popular routes for spring breakers that connect them to mountains, beaches, and destinations perfect for a springtime getaway.
Mile High Heart Grows
Largest-Ever March Schedule from Denver
Southwestยฎ is bringing more Mile High Heart to its Colorado Customers. The airline today published its largest-ever March schedule from Denver beginning in March 2023, with up to 270 departures a day, an increase of 27 flights from February 2023โs published schedule.
International Network from Denver Grows
Beginning March 11, 2023, Southwest is adding seasonal service on Saturdays between Denver and San Jose, Costa Rica*, alongside existing Saturday service between Denver and Liberia, Cosa Rica. The carrier currently serves several international destinations from Denver including Belize, and four destinations in Mexico: Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos**.
More Southwest Heart Lands in Las Vegas
Southwest Airlines is bringing more Heart to Las Vegas beginning in March 2023 with its largest-ever schedule from Las Vegas. The carrierโs published schedule now offers up to 243 departures a day in March 2023, an increase of 12 flights from February 2023โs published schedule.
Seasonal Flights Ready to Take Off
Southwest will offer a new nonstop seasonal route on Saturdays effective March 11, 2023, between San Diego and Eugene, Ore. The airline also announced several seasonal flights are now available for booking.
*Subject to government approvals
**Some routes are offered on a seasonal basis.ย
Southwestn Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
SAS receives court approval for $700 million in Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing
SAS AB has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved SASโ debtor-in-possession (โDIPโ) financing credit agreement for USD $700 million with funds managed by Apollo Global Management. The terms of the DIP financing credit agreement are substantially similar to the terms previously announced by SAS on August 14, 2022. The Court has indicated that it will enter an order approving the DIP financing shortly.
On August 14, 2022, SAS announced that it entered into a DIP financing credit agreement for USD $700 million with Apollo, subject to Court approval. The terms of the DIP financing credit agreement approved by the Court today are substantially similar to the terms previously announced by SAS.
DIP financing is a specialized type of bridge financing used by businesses that are restructuring through a chapter 11 process. The DIP financing, along with cash generated from the Companyโs ongoing operations, enables SAS to continue meeting its obligations throughout the chapter 11 process.
Anko van der Werff, President and Chief Executive Officer of SAS, comments:
โWith the Courtโs approval of our DIP financing, we are making important progress in our chapter 11 process. The DIP financing agreement with Apollo followed an extensive and competitive process that we conducted to achieve the best financing outcome for SAS, and we are pleased that the Court has approved it. Iโd like to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication, as well as our business partners for their support as we continue moving through this process. We continue to make progress with the SAS FORWARD plan, and our work to build a competitive and even better airline for our customers.โ
About Apollo Global Management
Apollo Global Management is a leading alternative asset manager, headquartered in the U.S. and operating globally. Apollo is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: APO). Apollo has more than three decades of experience investing in and working with leading management teams to build and transform their businesses. Apollo provides companies with innovative capital solutions and support to fund their growth and position businesses for long-term success.
ย Additional Information About the Chapter 11 Process and implementation of SAS FORWARD
On July 5, 2022, to accelerate the implementation of its comprehensive business transformation plan SAS FORWARD, SAS announced that it had voluntarily filed for chapter 11 in the U.S., a well-established and flexible legal framework for restructuring businesses with operations in multiple jurisdictions. Through this process, SAS aims to reach agreements with key stakeholders, restructure the Companyโs debt obligations, reconfigure its aircraft fleet, and emerge with a significant capital injection. The SAS FORWARD plan encompasses raising at least SEK 9.5 billion in new equity capital as well as reducing or converting more than SEK 20 billion of debt into common equity (of which a majority is on-balance sheet debt), including state hybrid notes, commercial hybrid notes, Swiss bonds, term loans from states, aircraft lease liabilities and maintenance contract obligations and other executory contract obligations. The new equity raise and debt-to-equity conversions contemplated as part of SAS FORWARD will entail very substantial dilution to existing shareholders. SAS expects to complete its court-supervised process in the U.S. in 9โ12 months from the commencement of the chapter 11 process in July 2022.
SAS aircraft photo gallery:
MNG Airlines gets its second A330-300 P2F
MNG Airlines has made this announcement:
MNG Airlines, which holds a significant share of the air cargo industry in Turkey, is looking to use its experience to expand its services and flight network. After having converted Turkey’s first passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft last year, MNG Airlines has completed the conversion of its second aircraft and TC-MCN is ready to take the skies again with a much higher structural and volumetric payload capacity.
MNG Airlines, which was established 25 years ago, holds a significant share of the air cargo industry in Turkey. In addition to its scheduled flight network, MNG Airlines makes a valuable contribution to the air cargo industry by offering customized services that include flight, cargo, ground handling and warehousing services. Now, MNG Airlines aims to make Turkey stand out in the air cargo market with its fleet of 9 wide body aircraft.
With vision of continuous improvement, MNG Airlines was the first Turkish company to invest in the acquisition and convertion of the A330 aircraft into freighters in December 2020. Turkeyโs first converted A330-300P2F left Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) facility in November, 2021 and joined the MNG Airlinesโ fleet as TC-MCM. Since then, it has completed nearly 3000 flight hours and carried over 12000 tons of cargo in the last 9 months to maintain a sustainable network between China-Tรผrkiye and Europe. The second A330-300, TC-MCN was sent to EFW for the same P2F conversion process. The passenger-to-freighter conversion took 7 months from February to September 2022. TC-MCN is already scheduled to begin commercial operations in mid September.
MNG Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
Oman Air becomes the official airline of Ironman 70.3 Salalah
Oman Air has made this announcement:
The iconic and internationally renowned sports event, IRONMAN 70.3, will be hosted in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, creating the ideal backdrop for this spectacular event. The event also provides attendees with the chance to explore Salalah and experience the hospitality of the city and the people of Oman.
Oman Air Holidays, in collaboration with its partner hotels, is offering athletes special rates on their preferred hotels as well as a variety of hotel alternatives in Salalah. Furthermore, โOman Stopover Packagesโ will allow athletes and spectators the flexibility to discover some of the most desirable tourist spots in the Sultanate, with each package designed to offer a distinct taste of some of Omanโs leading attractions. Oman Air Holidays excels at enabling the country’s booming tourist potential, and the debut of its โOman Stopover Packagesโ adds to Oman’s increasing inventory of tailored stays and experiences.
The IRONMAN 70.3 race is organised by the IRONMAN Foundation, in collaboration with Wanda Sports and Triathlon Middle East.
Oman Air aircraft photo gallery:
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